The Resplendent Quetzal by Henry

Guest blogger Henry has learned some interesting things about the Resplendent Quetzal.  On our recent trip to the Monteverde area, we did not see any of these amazing birds, but we hope see one before we leave Costa Rica.

There is a very beautiful bird called the Resplendent Quetzal.  It is 14-16 inches, not including their 65 inch tail that only the male has.  They have a pretty green body with a red breast.  The Resplendent Quetzal has very thin skin that is easy to rip.  They have large eyes.  The Resplendent Quetzal lives from Mexico’s to Panama’s cloud forests.  Their diet is very big; they eat fruit, insects, frogs, lizards and wild avocados!  The Resplendent Quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird and the name of their currency!  The Resplendent Quetzal is a weak flier.  The Resplendent Quetzal has some predators like hawk, owl, emerald toucanet and the brown jay.  The Resplendent Quetzal breeds at different times.  In Mexico they breed from March to April, in El Salvador they breed from May to June, and in Guatemala they breed from March to May.  The mother lays two pale eggs a year.  It takes 18 days to go from egg to chick.  Next time you go to Monteverde, if you are lucky you might see a Resplendent Quetzal.

- Henry

Male Resplendent Quetzal

Female Resplendent Quetzal

Quetzal in a tree

Where the Resplendent Quetzal lives

Guatemala's currency, the Quetzal